Before Their Time: Remembering "Only Good Die Young" Among DI Hoopers

June 20th, 2023 - 20:23

We'll never know what could have happened on the hardwood. Evansville's initial year at the NCAA Division I level ended in tragedy when first-year coach Bobby Watson and 13 members of his Purple Aces squad perished in a plane crash moments after taking off en route to their fifth game of the 1977-78 season. Someone forgot to remove the rudder lock, which combined with improper weight distribution caused the tail of the plane to spin out of control. The DC3 charter out of Indianapolis was slated to transport Notre Dame back to South Bend after a game at Indiana before inclement weather modified schedules.

The Aces' lone victory in their first four outings was a 90-83 verdict over Pittsburgh, which finished the season with a winning record (16-11) and tied for third place in the Eastern 8. Watson, a Vietnam veteran with five Purple Hearts, was hired after former Evansville All-American Jerry Sloan, who went on to a distinguished coaching career with the Utah Jazz, had been named coach of the Purple Aces before abruptly changing his mind. Mike Duff, hailed as Evansville's most promising player, was among those who died. Duff signed with Missouri but changed his mind and was able to immediately attend Evansville because the Aces weren't affiliated with the national letter of intent. One UE player who did not make the flight - David Furr - was working as a statistician after suffering an ankle sprain so severe doctors said it was better off broken. Two weeks later, Furr died in an auto accident with his younger brother.

Oklahoma State was also impacted by a tragic plane crash in late January 2001 when redshirt reserves Nate Fleming (freshman) and Dan Lawson Jr. (juco recruit), flying with broadcasters and several athletic department officials separate from starters on a jet, perished in an 11-seat, twin-engine Beechcraft that crashed shortly after takeoff following a defeat at Colorado. Lawson's relatives from Detroit area eventually were awarded a $1.6 million settlement.

Decades earlier, Baylor's ill-fated 1927 basketball squad lost 10 of its 21-member traveling party in a bus-train wreck en route to Austin, Tex. As a result of the "Immortal Ten" tragedy, the remainder of the first of coach Ralph Wolf's 15 seasons was cancelled, and the first highway overpass in Texas was constructed.

Chicago product Ben Wilson, named the top player at the Nike/AFBE Camp in Princeton, N.J., entered his senior season of high school generally regarded as the premier recruit in the nation because of his Magic Johnson-like skills. Just a few days prior to the first game of his senior campaign (1984-85), Wilson was slain by gunshots within a block of Simeon High's campus after bumping into two gang members while walking down the street on his school lunch break. Excluding military service, following is an alphabetical list of players and signees (including impacting eight different major colleges in Texas) who died with eligibility remaining or shortly after senior season and before possibly signing with a professional team (like Maryland's Len Bias):

Deceased NCAA DI Player School Description of Player's Demise While Still in College
DeAndre Adams Winthrop Pint-sized point guard died in spring of 2007 when sustaining head injuries in an auto accident after trying to avoid a fallen tree in road during a thunderstorm. He averaged 1.7 ppg and 2.4 apg in his two seasons with Gregg Marshall-coached NCAA Tournament teams.
Rotimi Alakija Indiana State Juco transfer died late in 1987-88 season after frontcourter collapsed during practice. Nigerian native averaged 8.8 ppg and team-high 5.4 rpg.
Guy Alang-Ntang Wichita State Signee from Cameroon collapsed and died during workout at forward's New Hampshire prep school in spring of 2007.
Mark Alcorn Louisiana State Transfer from St. Louis (father's alma mater) died of cancer at age of 23 in early 1982. His illness was detected in late 1980 when the Tigers competed in Great Alaska Shootout after he played in 10 games for them the previous season.
Calistas Anyichie Binghamton Nigerian native drowned at a state park in summer of 2019 after averaging 1.9 ppg and 2.1 rpg during his freshman year.
Jonathan Bailey Rice Backup guard was stabbed to death in spring of 2007 after confrontation at a bar following his lone season when he competed in only four games.
Gary Bancroft Purdue Died after suffering a broken neck in tragic trampoline accident following freshman season in 1965-66 when he scored 21 points in freshman-varsity game.
Jerode "Smokie" Banks Baylor Forward, the SWC freshman of year in 1993-94 (9.8 ppg and 5 rpg), died before the start of next season in a one-car accident on interstate at roughly 3 a.m.
Tikoyo Barnett Georgia State Juco recruit died in auto accident following 2004-05 season after going home for the Easter weekend. Forward averaged 5.9 ppg and 3.5 rpg in his lone campaign.
Clifford Baumbach Purdue Christian Scientist died after refusing medication for blood poisoning. He averaged 1.1 ppg as a sophomore in 1934-35.
Micheal Blackshear Temple Shot in the back of head shortly before 2:30 a.m. in late summer of 2005. Blackshear averaged a team-high 5.9 rpg with the Owls as a sophomore in 2003-04 under coach John Chaney before he was suspended prior to the start of 2004-05 campaign and transferred to Cheyney State PA, where his father played for Chaney.
Kevin Brophy Georgia Australian died in a car crash in summer of 2006 while driving toward home after participating in a basketball clinic. He started eight games as a freshman in 2004-05 when averaging 3.8 ppg under coach Dennis Felton.
Arturo Brown Boston University Senior forward died of a heart attack in fall of 1982 during a pickup game. He averaged 12 ppg and 6 rpg in three years under coach Rick Pitino, leading BU in scoring his final season with 14.7 ppg.
Mike Brown Virginia Commonwealth Senior forward collapsed during a morning team practice midway through 1988-89 season and died a short time later in hospital emergency room. He was a member of VCU's NIT team the previous campaign.
Jibri Bryan Mercer Graduate student, sitting in driver's seat of a Chevrolet Monte Carlo, was shot in the head in a gas station parking lot in a drug transaction gone bad in early February 2016. Guard averaged 5 ppg and 2.8 rpg during his career (grabbing three rebounds in four minutes of play in school's first NCAA Tournament victory/78-71 over Duke in 2014 Midwest Regional).
Pat Burke Fairfield Co-captain and leader in scoring average with 20.3 ppg in 1964-65 freaked out in mid-February 1966 when hearing a 4 a.m. knock on the door at motel where he and friends were partying. He went out a back door and began to run but fell down a steep embankment at the rear of the inn, striking his head on a jagged rock (sustaining a skull fracture and hemorrhaging to death).
Terrence Butler Drexel Junior-to-be died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his on-campus apartment in early August of 2023. Forward appeared in eight games in his two seasons with the Dragons while struggling with injuries.
Devin Butts North Carolina Central Transfer forward from Mississippi State via Louisiana-Lafayette died in early May of 2023 after collapsing while working out with NCCU teammates. Juco recruit averaged 5.3 ppg as a junior.
Eric Chambers Mercer Junior-to-be forward collapsed and died during a pickup game in mid-August of 1985. An autopsy revealed heat stroke as the apparent cause of death. He averaged 3.7 ppg as a sophomore when playing in NCAA tourney game against Mark Price-led Georgia Tech.
Haris Charalambous Toledo Backup junior center died in fall of 2006 after collapsing during a conditioning workout. He averaged 1 ppg in two seasons.
Charles Christopher Arizona State Averaged 12.9 ppg in his lone season (1954-55) before dying in late February from complications during surgery to repair a broken wrist.
Terrence Clarke Kentucky Guard died following a car crash in L.A. in mid-April 2021 while preparing for the NBA draft. Failing to wear his seat belt properly, Boston native was the only occupant in a new Hyundai Genesis running a red light at a very high rate of speed (80 mph in 45-mph zone) before clipping front of a truck and slamming into light pole. He missed much of his freshman season in 2020-21 with an ankle injury, averaging 9.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 2 apg in eight contests (seven in non-conference competition) for coach John Calipari.
Leroy Cobb Southern California Forward died of an embolism in summer of 1971 while undergoing open-heart surgery only months after playing under coach Bob Boyd. Cobb averaged 2.2 ppg in two seasons for the Trojans.
Tyrek Coger Oklahoma State Forward collapsed and died following team workout. High school recruit for coach Brad Underwood had just arrived on campus after July 4.
Chad Cooke College of Charleston Walk-on guard died of undetected heart condition two days before Christmas in 2014 while playing basketball with his brother and friends in a Chicago suburb. He was on the Cougars' roster for two seasons.
Seth Coy East Tennessee State Center died in a car crash in summer of 2009 while traveling home to Indiana after averaging 2.9 ppg and 2 rpg in his lone season.
Chris Daniels Dayton Frontcourter, finishing 1995-96 season as the nation's leader in field-goal shooting (68.3%), went into convulsions in off-campus student neighborhood in middle of the night in early February and died because of a heart ailment. He finished his four-year career with averages of 6.1 ppg and 3.4 rpg. His brother, Antonio, hit a layup in the closing seconds to give Bowling Green a 72-70 victory over Eastern Michigan in Antonio's first game after his sibling's death.
Patrick Dennehy Baylor New Mexico transfer was shot in the head and murdered by teammate Carlton Dotson in mid-June 2003, putting into motion firing of Bears coach Dave Bliss by the world's largest Baptist school before reports surfaced he was directly involved in a coverup attempting to hide drug use and NCAA violations within his program by encouraging an assistant coach and players to depict the slain center as a drug dealer. "I liken Bliss to a child molester," said Brian Brabazon, Dennehy's stepfather, to USA Today. "He may not physically molest kids, but he molests their minds. What a callous, cold-hearted person he is.
Dick Derby Yale Killed in early September 1962 in an automobile accident after averaging 4.3 ppg and 3.3 rpg as a sophomore for the Bulldogs' NCAA playoff team coached by Joe Vancisin.
Kellen Dixon UC Riverside Guard was killed in a multi-car accident on I-15 in mid-September 2003. He averaged 1.3 ppg and 1.3 rpg in two seasons with UCR.
Lafayette Dorsey Jr. Pacific/Nicholls State Transfer redshirt guard committed suicide by hanging in a garage the first week of August 2020. Son of former Pepperdine guard averaged 9.1 ppg and 2.7 rpg with UOP in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
Ralph Elliott Texas Sophomore forward was killed in early April 1971 along with two other individuals in a two-car accident near his hometown of Denison, Tex. He averaged 3.4 ppg and 2.7 rpg in his lone season.
Ken Eshleman Kent State Died in early December 1953 as a result of a blow on the head (cerebral basal hemorrhage after opposing player grabbed a rebound, whirled to make outlet pass and inadvertently struck him in face with his elbow) in game against Bowling Green. Reserve missed all nine of his field-goal attempts in 21 games.
Wayne Estes Utah State En route back and forth to his off-campus apartment and then a restaurant, Estes was with teammate Delano Lyons and another friend on February 8, 1965, when they passed three times the scene of an auto accident killing a USU student. The group stopped and inspected the scene briefly. They were returning to their car when Lyons, who is 6-2, noticed a live high-voltage wire dangling in front of him after being dislodged when the victim's car hit a utility pole. Lyons ducked and hollered "Watch it!" to the 6-6 Estes, who was walking behind him. But Estes didn't react quickly enough and the wire carrying 2,700 volts of electricity brushed against his forehead, killing the Montana native instantly. As a senior, the two-time All-American ranked second in the nation in scoring (33.7 ppg) and fourth in free-throw shooting (87.8%).
Billy Feeney New Mexico After averaging 8.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg with Portland State as a freshman in 2001-02, transfer forward commited suicide in late August 2003. He was found hanging from a light pole in downtown Albuquerque at 5:15 a.m. outside an apartment complex. Feeney was intoxicated and reportedly despondent about a breakup with his girlfriend.
Jeff Foster Boise State Juco recruit was killed in a traffic accident prior to the 1987-88 campaign. The 6-10 center averaged 3.8 ppg and 2.5 rpg in his only season.
Ryan Francis Southern California Victim of homicide by gunshot in 2006 while in backseat of vehicle during visit to his hometown of Baton Rouge, La., for Mother's Day. The point guard averaged 7.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg and team-high 3.7 apg as a freshman under coach Tim Floyd.
Oscar Frayer Grand Canyon Senior died in highway crash in Northern California three days after playing in NCAA Tournament against Iowa. He averaged 8 ppg and 4.3 rpg in his four-year career.
Mike Frick Virginia Military Cadet, visiting his Pennsylvania home over spring furlough, was abducted and killed in late March of 1968. He averaged 1 ppg in each of two seasons.
Eric "Hank" Gathers Loyola Marymount The most tragic moment in history of any league tourney occurred in semifinals of 1990 West Coast Conference Tournament when the league's all-time scoring leader and a two-time tourney MVP collapsed on his homecourt during the Lions' game with Portland. Two-time All-American died later that evening of a heart ailment and the tournament was suspended. USC transfer averaged 28 ppg and 11.1 rpg in three seasons with LMU.
Jim Griffin Samford Died in his sleep in fall of 2009 from a heart ailment that never had been detected. The 6-7 Griffin averaged 1.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg and 1.3 apg in three seasons.
John Gunn Memphis State Junior center died midway through the 1976-77 season due to complications of a rare disease (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome). He was the Tigers' runner-up in rebounding each of his first two campaigns, posting three-year career averages of 11.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg.
Ernie Hall Northeastern Forward was stabbed to death in his hometown of Washington, D.C., in late summer of 1987. Averaging 2.2 ppg and 2 rpg in his career, junior-to-be appeared in back-to-back NCAA tourneys with teammate Reggie Lewis.
Mark Anthony Hall UC Riverside Recruit died in mid-September 2006 car crash after swerving to avoid hitting a stalled auto on the highway and rolling several times just before 2 a.m.
Dean Harris Kansas State Forward died in auto accident near his hometown of East St. Louis in spring of 1974 after Lon Kruger's teammate averaged 7.4 ppg and 6.5 rpg (runner-up on team) as a freshman under coach Jack Hartman.
Larry "Deacon" Harris West Virginia On the heels of being declared academically ineligible for the second semester, forward was killed instantly in auto accident in 1972 when losing control of his Corvair and striking a bridge abutment. Teammate Sam Oglesby survived but was rendered a paraplegic. As a sophomore, Harris was runner-up on the team to juco recruit Oglesby in rebounding (7.1 rpg).
Dick Hartmann Creighton One of the nation's top rebounders the previous year with 15.1 per game died in a traffic accident prior to the start of his senior campaign in 1960-61.
Michael Haynes Iona Chicago recruit, slated to go to college the next week, was fatally shot in late July 2012 when trying to intervene during a dispute over gold necklace.
Mike Heck Creighton Two days after the best game of center's college career (24 points/9 rebounds), seven-footer died at dormitory in his sleep the first week of December 1974 from a cardiac disorder. Heck averaged 8.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for Midwest Regional third-place finisher the previous season in Eddie Sutton's final year as coach of the Bluejays before heading to Arkansas.
Nick Herrmann Cal State Northridge Oral commitment died in August 2022 after guard's second bout with bone cancer.
Josh Hill Yale Senior was killed in a single-car accident in late May of 2004 about 3:30 a.m. The 6-7 center missed majority of 2002-03 season and all of 2003-04 because of a hernia but planned on returning to the squad. As a sophomore, Hill played a vital role for the Elis' NIT team in 2001-02, averaging 4.8 ppg and 3.1 rpg.
Zach Hollywood Ball State Redshirt freshman forward died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at an off-campus apartment in mid-August 2017 shortly after the one-year anniversary of his mother's death.
Michael Isenhour Georgia Tech Air Force transfer died because of acute leukemia in the spring of 2002 after participating in 2001 NCAA playoffs.
Jamal Jackson Cleveland State Forward was fatally stabbed by his girlfriend's cousin in Boston hometown in late summer of 1995 in middle of night hours before he was due back on campus. As a sophomore, All-Midwestern Collegiate Conference second-team selection posted team-highs of 16.4 ppg and 8.1 rpg.
Ashley "A.J." James Missouri State Oral commitment died in spring of 2020 in an accidental shooting in apartment near military academy in Virginia the shooting guard attended.
Bobby James Southern Methodist The Mustangs' leading scorer (16 ppg) and rebounder (10 rpg) in 1958-59 died in a fire while All-SWC first-team selection visited his family in Ruston, La. He was SMU's top rebounder (9.4 rpg) and runner-up in scoring (13.1 ppg) the previous season as a sophomore under coach Doc Hayes.
George Jefferson Saint Peter's Senior-to-be died in his sleep of a heart attack in his dormitory room in mid-June 2005 while taking summer classes. Guard averaged 4 ppg and 1.5 rpg in his three seasons.
James Jenkins San Jose State Projected as a probable starter after averaging 1.8 ppg and 1.5 rpg as a freshman, forward was found dead in spring of 2002 after becoming separated from his father on a recreational hiking trip.
Ben Johnson Jr. Fairleigh Dickinson Freshman forward was killed in middle of 1975-76 season when the car he was driving crashed into a utility pole. Johnson and two teammates were on their way home following a loss at Iona when the auto skidded on an icy highway just after midnight. Johnson, a teammate of eventual DI coach and ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg, was the Knights' second-leading scorer at the time with 12 ppg.
Tommy Johnson Kansas School's first All-American didn't complete his eligibility with the Jayhawks after becoming ill because of tuberculosis. He missed the 1910-11 season and later died on November 24, 1911.
Herb Jones Montana Forward was killed in a head-on car accident in early September 1985 after teammate of Larry Krystkowiak averaged 2.2 ppg and 2.4 rpg as a freshman under coach Mike Montgomery.
Richard Jones Canisius Junior forward died suddenly following a workout in spring of 2004 because of a genetically-enlarged heart. He averaged 5.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 1.6 apg in his three seasons, finishing runner-up in team rebounding as a sophomore.
Mike Keck Oregon State Starting guard was averaging 14.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 2.7 apg midway through the 1970-71 season (first for Ralph Miller as OSU's coach) when Keck was killed in an auto accident on a visit to Nevada.
Harry Kersenbrock Kansas Seven-foot transfer from Doane (Neb.) for coach Phog Allen died in summer of 1928 when a canoe overturned along the Blue River.
Earnest Killum Oregon State Choosing to play despite a blood-clotting disorder, sophomore guard died less than a day following the finest game of his brief career (13-point performance against USC in 1991-92).
Jerome "Jerry" Lademan Fairfield Died in an auto accident on a mountain road in Italy while touring with a Stags assistant coach in summer of 1973 after averaging 1.8 ppg and 1.4 rpg as a sophomore guard under bench boss Fred Barakat.
Bruce Lee Oklahoma Possible starter in 1983-84 for coach Billy Tubbs died from complications following a routine tonsillectomy in spring of 1983. Teammate of Wayman Tisdale when junior swingman appeared that year in NCAA playoffs.
John Lemmond Furman Collapsed during a brief intermission following a practice drill in mid-November 1962 and was pronounced dead at the age of 20 shortly after his arrival at local hospital in an ambulance. Starting center much of his sophomore season in 1961-62 when averaging 4.3 ppg and 4.7 rpg under coach Lyles Alley.
Robert Liburd Temple Native of Trinidad, a 7-2 recruit who never got a chance to commence his collegiate career under coach John Chaney because of Marfan's Syndrome, was found dead in his dormitory room in late May of 1987.
Greg Lords Boise State Guard died in summer of 1994 when jumping 150 feet off a bridge while boating with his family. He had played in NCAA Tournament that year as a freshman against Denny Crum-coached Louisville.
Chad Maclies Centenary Leading scorer and rebounder as a Mid-Continent Conference all-league second-team selection died of natural causes in his dorm room after the 2004-05 season while senior chatted on the computer with his girlfriend.
Mike Mason Texas-San Antonio Guard was killed in a traffic accident at around 1:20 a.m. in fall of 1990. Beginning to exit his auto following a minor traffic accident, he and his car were struck from behind by another vehicle with the impact throwing him 60 feet. Juco transfer averaged 13.9 ppg, 2.8 apg and 1.8 spg.
Rodrick McClure Eastern Washington Starting point guard was killed by drunken driver in a two-car accident while driving to the airport to catch a post-Christmas flight back to rejoin teammates during 1996-97 season. Juco transfer was averaging 7.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 5.3 apg.
Steve McElvene Dayton Center collapsed at his home in Fort Wayne, Ind., and died in mid-May of 2016 after averaging 6.1 ppg and 5.6 rpg plus team-highs of 1.7 bpg and 61% field-goal shooting as a freshman under coach Archie Miller. McElvene grabbed team-high six rebounds in NCAA playoff setback against Syracuse.
John "Jackie" McLaughlin St. Louis Died during the Billikens' NIT season in 1955-56 while hitching a ride home to the Bronx during Christmas break. Coach Eddie Hickey pupil was killed when the car in which he rode collided with a truck not too far from the university.
Kevin Mormin Pittsburgh (scholarship offer) The 7-2 junior from a N.Y. private school died when one of two vans transporting his prep team to out-of-state competition rolled over outside Charlotte, N.C., in late 2003.
Bradley Mosley South Florida Juco transfer guard who averaged 14.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 3.3 apg in 2003-04 died in late October of 2005 following a year-long battle with cancer.
Jeff Muriel Jr. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Point guard died in late summer 2005 at around 2 a.m. when a Chevrolet Caprice he was driving was struck head-on by a pickup truck traveling the wrong way due to intoxication. He averaged 1.1 ppg as a freshman under coach Ronnie Arrow.
Tobi Oyedeji Texas A&M Power forward recruited by coach Mark Turgeon died in a head-on collision on prom night in spring of 2010. According to police report details, Oyedeji's Toyota left its lane just past 6:00 a.m., crossed over a grassy median and into oncoming traffic.
Carmen Palmiero Penn State Promising sophomore died in Pennsylvania Turnpike auto accident driving home for Christmas vacation during the 1956-57 season (averaged 8 ppg in four contests).
Chris Patton Maryland Undetected Marfan's syndrome triggered death in spring of 1976 during a pickup game. Center averaged 4.2 ppg and 2.7 rpg in two seasons under coach Lefty Driesell, appearing in all three of the Terps' NCAA playoff contests as a freshman.
Deshean Porchea Alabama State Guard collapsed and died after playing in pickup game on campus in spring of 2008. He averaged 2.5 ppg in two seasons.
Lawrence Raphael Princeton Hoops newcomer was shot in the head by a robber in summer of 1982 while sitting in a car in his girlfriend's circular driveway after they went out for ice cream cones.
Anthony Robinson North Carolina State Frontcourter committed suicide with a gunshot to the head early in 1992-93 season after playing in both of the Wolfpack's NCAA playoff games two years earlier as a freshman.
Gregory Ross Bethune-Cookman Walking down a street in spring of 1984 when murdered by a single gunshot from a handgun fired out the window of a passing car after center led the Wildcats in rebounding as a sophomore with 7 per game.
Danny Rumph Western Kentucky Starting guard collapsed and died in 2005 from sudden cardiac arrest during a summer pickup game at rec center in his hometown of Philadelphia. He was coming off a junior season averaging 9.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 3 apg (team runner-up) for an NIT participant.
Wayde Sims Louisiana State Son of LSU forward Wayne Sims, a SEC All-Freshman team selection in 1987-88, was shot and killed at 12:30 a.m. near the campus of another college in Baton Rouge (Southern) in the fall of 2018 following an altercation near a Subway restaurant. The Tigers were slated to have their season-opening practice at 6:30 a.m. Wayde, a forward, averaged 6 ppg and 3.3 rpg his first two campaigns.
Matt Skalsky Maryland-Baltimore County Sophomore guard died from irregular beating of an enlarged heart after collapsing at a New Year's Eve party during 1995-96 season. He averaged 6 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 1.3 apg in 20 contests over two campaigns.
Theo Smalling Hampton Senior-to-be forward died from an accidental gunshot wound outside a nightclub before start of the 2009-10 season. He averaged 3.4 ppg and 5.2 rpg in three campaigns, leading the Pirates in rebounding as a sophomore and junior.
Brad Snyder Northern Arizona NAU's leader in scoring average (14.1 ppg) and free-throw shooting (88.1%) under coach Ben Howland, not wearing a seat belt, was killed in a one-vehicle accident late in the 1994-95 season when junior forward's car flipped twice on an interstate at about 2:45 a.m. Snyder averaged 10.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 1.5 apg in three seasons.
Jon Speaks North Carolina State Senior captain was killed in an auto accident in spring of 1963. Guard averaged 11.2 ppg and 3.2 rpg in three seasons under coach Everett Case, leading the Wolfpack in scoring each of his last two years.
Paul Stewart Cleveland State Boston native collapsed and died of an apparent heart attack in a pickup game in late April 1986 after averaging 4.7 ppg and 3.5 rpg in his only season. In East Regional, forward contributed six points and three rebounds in upset win against Steve Alford-led Indiana plus seven points and three boards in one-point setback vs. David Robinson-led Navy.
Chris Street Iowa Tom Davis-coached Hawkeyes boasted a legitimate shot at the 1993 Big Ten Conference title until their leading rebounder with 9.5 per game died instantly in midseason in a collision between a car the forward was driving and county dumptruck/snowplow. The previous season as a sophomore, he paced their NCAA Tournament team with 8.2 rpg.
Jeff Taggart Canisius Junior suffered a heart seizure while on the bench in 1987-88 game in early March against Niagara and died in ambulance on his way to a hospital. He averaged 6.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.5 apg and 1 spg in three seasons.
Jeremiah Tate Wofford Backup junior-to-be guard drowned in the summer of 2015 after YMCA Camp counselor dove off a bridge into lake for swim at 2 a.m.
Kevin Thompson Indiana State Hometown recruit, diagnosed with cancer prior to his freshman season of 1980-81, died midway through 1981-82 campaign. He never played a game in college.
Andre Tooks Georgia State Juco recruit center died of chest and head injuries in late October of 2001 after a car ran a red light and struck his Toyota truck while he was on his way to practice. Tooks was less than 50 yards from the arena.
Guy Lee Turner Alabama Southern Illinois native nicknamed "Elegant Elephant" died at the age of 21 in mid-June of 1967 about two hours following an injury incurred when senior-to-be dove into shallow end of an off-campus apartment swimming pool. He was runner-up in scoring average both of his seasons with the Crimson Tide.
Walter Turner Florida Atlantic The 6-8 freshman collapsed during stretching exercises at practice in fall of 1997 and died.
Greg Wallace Stephen F. Austin Army transfer frontcourter collapsed and died during a practice midway through redshirt season in 2003-04.
Marcus Watson Grambling State Guard died in the fall of 2005 in a one-vehicle, alcohol-related accident at 3:10 a.m. after averaging 4.5 ppg, 1.3 rpg and 1.7 apg as a freshman.
Marvin Webster Jr. Temple Projected as a starter for Owls coach John Chaney, academic freshman redshirt died of heart attack in summer of 1997 two days after stricken while riding in a car with a friend. Webster's father was a two-time All-American center for Morgan State and third pick overall in 1975 NBA draft.
Fedonta "J.B." White New Mexico Local commitment was slain in 2020 after the 6-8 wing got into a physical altercation during a summer party at around 3:30 a.m. The defendant said the fatal shot was fired over his shoulder ("to stop him") while running away from fist fight.
Henry White Grambling State Juco recruit died from heat exhaustion at a mid-August, preseason practice in 2009. Forced to complete a 4 1/2-mile, timed, discipline run ("The Tiger Mix" monitored by assistant coach from a golf cart) in 95-degree heat, the Milwaukee native passed away nearly two weeks later as guard's liver and kidneys were ravaged to the point of total failure. A majority of the coaching staff was fired that fall.
Ishan White New Mexico State Juco recruit passed away in mid-February 2022 after attending NMSU in the fall of 2021 but never playing a game for the Aggies upon being "medically disqualified."
Ronald White Idaho Transfer was killed in mid-day automobile accident in mid-December 1945 before the Vandals won PCC North Division championship.
Herman Williams Louisiana-Lafayette On precipice of attending second summer school session, signee from Florida died after combo guard collapsed while scrimmaging on a church court in mid-June 2016.
Ryse Williams Loyola Marymount Signee died of a rare and aggressive form of kidney cancer in 2017 one day before his high school graduation and a little more than a week after shooting guard fell ill.